Far-right

Far-right is the furthest-right section of the political spectrum, made up of supporters of social hierarchy/elitism, nationalism, racism, and xenophobia and opponents of modernism, liberalism, socialism, communism, welfare, egalitarianism, and economic reform. Far-right politics was first explored by European dictators such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, two fascist leaders who transformed their countries of Germany and Italy into racist dictatorships that persecuted Jews, gays, Romani, the handicapped, and other minority groups. While World War II led to the downfall of the Hitlerite regimes in Europe and Asia, the Cold War saw the revival of the far-right in opposition to communism. The United States and its allies decided to support the far-right in countries threatened by Soviet influence, and dictators in those countries massacred leftists and political opponents. The end of the Cold War in 1991 led to the far-right losing support from other countries, and many dictators would be overthrown. However, far-right politics grew as a result of Islamist terrorist attacks and the European refugee crisis, caused by the Syrian Civil War and the Iraqi Civil War, with far-right politicians blaming jihadist attacks on all Muslims. They were also opposed to progressive ideas such as gay marriage, bridging the wage gap between men and women, and political correctness, and they became known as racists, bigots, fearmongers, and ultranationalists, often advocating a return to older ideas and an older, more conservative society.